Magic by RUNNING

Dear readers,

I'm very happy that I kept my promise and workout everyday. This time, I brought the whole bunch of colleagues from my department to gym during lunch hour (this is the best thing I love about my company - gym). 

We did 30 minutes of run on treadmill/elliptical trainer; rest for 10 minutes; wash up in 10 minutes; took our pre-packed lunch in 10 minutes. For me, I always end my workout with a good stretch.

It was not a complete full split yet. Way to go~

On the next day, we did our workout after work which was even more intense since we had more time. We started with 30 minutes of run, then we did 50 x squats, 50 x half crunch, 50 x leg raise, 2 minutes planking and many other stunts that we could think of. 

I'm pushing myself a little bit faster and harder each time. Currently, I'm running about 5 km on average in half an hour. I will slowly increase my pace/resistance to achieve more distance/calories burnt. 

Taking an hour break from the hectic workplace for a good 30 minutes run is really giving me extraordinary feeling at work. Believe me or not, me and my colleagues were so energetic when we returned to our workplace. It's a tremendous change to us as we always feel sleepy after lunch, especially after having heavy and oily meal. It does not only affect our working performance and efficiency, it also affects our passion and momentum at work. #runningneverstop That's how running does magic on us, that's why I'm a happy girl now *wink*!

Scent of the day: Sweats

Yours truly,

Michelle Chee

Bucket List

It's been awhile since my last post here. I always tell myself to be consistent and write more posts but I just couldn't commit myself here. Well, I'm pretty sure this thing hang half way here is all because of me myself. I has been finding a lot of excuses for myself, such as nah, there's nothing special to blog about; no, even I write also no one will read; aiyar, no time la; this la; that la...and the list goes on. 

The writing mood kicked in when Ronald brought me to a coffee place to meet his friend. While I was sitting alone with a laptop and Ronald was busy talking business with his friend, I felt vain for not doing anything meaningful. For example something like this: selfie moment.

At the same time, my dear friend Zoey Tham asked me whether I have a bucket list. I actually hold for a few minutes before I could reply her. I was thinking: My god, my guan nim ma! I remembered I made a bucket list on 1st July but I didn't do my best to achieve each and every of them. Let's recap what they are now:

1) Ensure my research paper is accepted by food-related journal. (It's still under review)

Sadly, my paper was rejected by two journals. My research supervisor is submitting the paper to another journal and I'm keeping my fingers crossed now. 

2) Continue to reduce my pbf to 25%

Luckily I get this controlled and remains at 27-28% so far. With 3 months left in year 2013, please help me to achieve this goal. Slap me if I did not make it happen. 

3) Jog frequently from 3times/week to everyday.

I gotta let this go because I didn't understand the condition of my dislocated ankle when I set this goal. I am forbidden to run or put extra weigh on the ankle for at least half a year. This also means that I am not allowed to run, cycle, leg push, split squat jump and etc. Thanks to the injured ankle, I started another exercise on weekly basis, which is YOGA. I'm shouting it loudly here, "I'm gonna keep exercise and no more excuses!!"

I kept my promise and went to gym on the next day :D

4) Finish reading a book.

I am going to buy a book - 擇食2 from Taiwan which is written by 邱锦伶 when I travel to Taiwan on this late October. 邱锦伶 is a Taiwanese nutritionist who is hired by a number a Chinese celebrities such as Shu Qi, Jolin Tsai, Kelly Lin Hsi-Lei and etc. 

I came to know about this author was because of another book - 養瘦 by Jolin Tsai. Jolin described how 邱锦伶 changed her mindset of not dare to eat anything to eating almost everything. What really attracted my attention is that she did not feel hungry, not even for once and still get to slim down and eased all the pain she was having, such as backache, sleeping disorder, acne problem, menstrual disorder and more. She also incorporated some simple exercises along with the diet which is also shared in this book. 

擇食was the first book I read and learnt from 邱锦伶. I really could feel the changes in my body in terms of body fat % and health. However, it is hard to follow her diet concept if you're a person who eat out most of the time like me. Luckily, 邱锦伶 has published  擇食2-邱錦伶的瘦身食堂 with various recipes which are simple and fast to prepare. Well, I supposed there is no room for excuses if you're really determined to make a change in your life. So, yea, I have to be more determined from now on. 

I plan to get this book 瘦孕 as well to prepare my body for better conceivability in few years time.

5) Be humble, don't show off, don't complain.

I can't rate this myself. Slap me if I'm not. I'll try my best to behave well with these morals in mind (:

That's all about it. Let's cross check this again by end of the year. 

Scent of the day: Greentea

Yours truly,

Michelle Chee

To my dearly ♥

I know this blog post came a bit late. Please forgive me as I was not-very but kind of busy lately. I didn't want to simply rush off a post just because your birthday was the deadline for this post. I want to take my sweet time, sit down alone quietly to reminisce every events between us before I start to write this post. And here it goes...

七岁就认识你了，至今已有十七年了。当中有过不少误会，甚至吵架还互不理睬。那段不和的期间让我忧虑了好久，也担心了好久。担心再不言和就会永远失去你这位朋友。正因为这样才让我更加的珍惜我们的友情。我深深地体会到有朋友陪伴在身边并不是偶然，一定要好好地珍惜。

小学

回顾以往的一切，小学的求学生涯可以说是无忧无虑。除了Cikgu Lee 给的压力和乐队练习的劳苦（还在IOI Mall代表学校表演-下虽:p），我们几乎都在享受打篮球，赛跑，补习前走去吃McDonald。UPSR后也顺利地整班一起升上同一所中学，感觉这样的安排非常理所当然。所以我们的毕业典礼一点点地悲伤离别成分都没有，毕业骊歌好像跟我们无关，反而我们的内心兴奋得不得了，对一步步地成长充满憧憬。

这张照片真的非常珍贵。照片里的每个人都不一样了，只有陈老师常青不变，你也从此与篮球结下了缘。

中学

在公教中学的读书生涯可以说是非常的competitive and challenging。除了压力非常大的课业，我们还活跃地参与各项课外活动和运动。当时我们七早八早五点起身，上课到中午一两点，搭车赶去补习再搭车赶回家八点吃晚饭，然后温习功课到不知道几点。我们真的可以从早到晚讲不停，真不知道我们哪来的精力。在公教中学的日子可以说是我最开心和无忧无虑的时光，我想你应该也很怀念，我好想再次体验我们的那些年，那些已经懂事但没有任何责任负担的时光。

中五的最后一天，这班从小学一起到中学的朋友，我爱你们 ♥

大学预备班

说到这就是我们分隔两地的开始，也是你人生的转折点。在某个星期六，你突然在学校的食堂对我说你要移民了。我当时没有太大的反应，可能还没感觉到那个感觉吧。在机场送你离开的时候就是我的感觉来的时候，我哭得那么失态，哈哈haha。没办法，这种离别对我来说是我的第一次。

 你还没飞走之前，我们常去晨跑。

现在

非常庆幸的是，原来这也没什么大不了。现在科技那么发达，我们每天可以fb和whatsapp，还可以聊八卦。经济比较好景，人比较得空的时候还可以飞回来聚一聚。

记得Golden Palm Tree Resort吗？(Click on the photo to enlarge it)

以后

我相信，也非常肯定我们的友情是细水长流的。下次你回来可能就是为了参加某某某的婚礼，毕竟那是我们人生的另一阶段嘛。若你想要我去美国找你就要赶快找个对象结婚咯，哈哈哈！开玩笑，现在我们还是先拚事业，结婚那件事还是等意外发生才说（我还是在开玩笑，哈哈哈哈！）。

Well, here's the end of my post, but definitely not the end of my words to you.
*Don't worry about CAREER because a Standford Uni Scholar won't go wrong in any career paths (You're the best!)
*Don't worry about LOVE, the right man will come to you at the right time, you certainly do not have to hesitate.
*Don't worry about FRIENDS because we will always be here and there or everywhere whenever you need us ♥

*Don't worry about MONEY, do whatever it interest you and the money will follow.
*Just worry about your HEALTH, take good care of yourself as you're away from your family at Cali now, make sure you eat healthily, exercise regularly and sleep early.
Lastly, don't miss me too much, it's bad for your health ♥ HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY my dearly ♥

Scent of the day: Soft and calming

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my soulmate

"18th of Jan" - a date which I have to remember since young. This special day is not only my idol, Jay Chou's birthday *my best musicman*, it's also my best friend, Boey's birthday.

We met since we were 10, in the same class during primary studies. Our friendship started to develop rapidly since then because we were always the tall ones in class (YES, I was the tall & big size one during primary school time :p) which caused us to be seated together at the back row in class. We spent almost every weekday and Saturday together in class, during basketball practice, band practice (I played thrombone and she played clarinet) and compulsory UPSR tuition arranged by the school. While reminiscing the old times, all the weird scenarios turn out to be very funny to me now and I really wonder how the hack these actually happened?! First, we sort of secretly in loved with the same guy, then we admired the same cute male celebrity. 

Back at those days, my primary school somehow unofficially bonded with Catholic High School. Basically all my classmates were accepted into the same high school where we spent another innocent and memorable period together in our lives. Our friendship actually pretty much developed during primary studies, her mom knows me and she knows my whole family. All the events during high school period further strengthen our friendship. However, this was the critical period where our real character started to show. Slowly, we found out that we are totally different, from the inside out! We don't like the same type of guy anymore, we don't admire the same idol anymore, our behaviour and thinking are no longer similar. Still, we understand each other well and we still enjoy each other companion (at least I still do).

If you remember this...

Then we chose the same Pre-U in the same college mainly because the choices were limited. That was when we started to hang out together, travel together, eat together, sleep together and party together very often. It was also the moment where I felt that she really understand my character. She can speak for my mind and she completes my sentences when I run short of words.

Those crazy days

Unintentionally, we enrolled into the same university under the same School of Science where we had 1.5 years of similar classes together. Then, we both decided to complete our undergrad studies with another year of research. This was when we seldom see each other very often anymore. However, this also proved a say right which is: True friendship isn't about being inseparable, it's about being separated & nothing changes!

Service in university

  The true us. hahaha

 Finally we graduated together!

The other two dearly completed our graduation.

Now the amazing thing happened! After I officially started my full-time work for 4.5 months, she joined me in the same company! None of us ever foreseen this and What more I can ask for, this is a friend for life! I'm really grateful having her for 14 years as my soulmate and it'll keep this counting till.....the next life.

Her first day at work

To CBY,

Thanks for bearing with me all these while and I will never trade this friendship for anything else. I don't know how to put it in words to describe how thankful I am to have you as my friend for so long. No matter what happen in future, please bear in mind that I will forever be with you when you need me and I know you will do the same to me too. From the bottom of my heart, I wish the BEST of everything in the world to you. Hope you like this small dedication to you as one of your birthday gifts this year, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I shall stop here as I know that you doesn't like to read essay. However, please bear with my lousy writing and I actually got no idea what to write >.<

From,

Ah Chee

Scent of the day: Cheese~